The only firearm restrictions found to be effective in reducing mass shootings involving children were laws banning the sale of firearms equipped with a large-capacity magazines, according to a new analysis presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference and Exhibition.

Researchers will present, “Do State Gun Laws Affect Pediatric Mass Shootings? A 2009 – 2020 Year Analysis,” during the AAP conference held at Orlando Convention Center Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

For the eight states that adopted large capacity magazine bans, the odds of a child dying from a mass shooting was decreased by 91%, according to an abstract. In contrast, the most common laws – which include restrictions on gun purchasing or the possession of firearms around children in a school setting – failed to show a significant decrease in child deaths due to mass shootings.

“Mass shootings are horrific events. We found that large capacity magazine bans may have the biggest effect on reducing child deaths in mass shootings,” said Stephanie Chao, MD, FAAP, senior author of the study. “We hope that research like ours can help legislators to make informed choices.”

Mass shootings were defined as those with at least four recorded deaths in which one or more of the victims were under age 21 during the years 2009-2020, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety database.  Researchers then analyzed these events by state using 10 categories of gun violence prevention laws: assault rifle bans; large capacity magazine bans; permit requirements; extreme risk protection (Gun Violence Restraining Orders); universal background checks; concealed carry discretionary laws; gun possession; violent misdemeanor history; pediatric population; and child access barriers.

Sign up for the Daily Dose Newsletter and get every morning’s best science news from around the web delivered straight to your inbox? It’s easy like Sunday morning.

The research identified 131 pediatric mass shootings from 2009 to 2020. Over that time, laws restricting the sale of large capacity magazines were associated with the greatest significant reduction of child deaths in mass shootings. During the time of the study, large capacity magazine bans had been adopted by only eight states (CA, CO, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, VT). Today, 14 states have laws banning firearms equipped with large capacity magazines.

The authors note that the study was limited to the effects on pediatric mass shootings and should not be interpreted to be generalizable to all pediatric or adult firearm related deaths.